It’s all over the news: video and game rental giant Blockbuster, already slimmed down to about 300 stores, will soon be closing ALL of its remaining company-owned locations. The explosion of digital options such as Netflix and Hulu, as well as those Redbox kiosks at the gas station, are the culprit.

It’s the end of an era. Now, if you’re a Blockbuster employee, this is bad, bad news. But, in the 10 or so articles I have read about this, nobody is particularly surprised and most of them are downright gleeful.

I don’t share the glee, but it’s understandable. My personal take is that there was once a time of independent video stores with “personality.” One might have more indie films while another had more science fiction. One might have a better rental price. One might let you keep the film for 2 nights while another was 3 nights. One might hold midnight screenings of BAD horror films*. In short, there was VARIETY and COMPETITION. Once Blockbuster became the only game in town, that was over.  So what’s left?

Blockbuster will continue its Blockbuster@Home brand to DISH customers, as well as its Blockbuster On Demand streaming service. And an additional 50 Blockbuster stores not owned by DISH (many in Canada) will remain open for the time being.  CNN.com

So, what do you think? Will you miss Blockbuster when it’s gone? How do YOU get your home entertainment these days? Let us know over at the MindField Online Facebook page, and have a great weekend!

*RIP, Precinct 13 Video, Kettering OH!